Sheila M. Cockrel née Sheila Murphy (born November 3, 1947)[2] is an American politician and consultant. She was a member of the Detroit City Council from 1994 to 2009.[3] The widow of Kenneth Cockrel, Sr. and stepmother of Kenneth Cockrel, Jr., she "had [a] fractious relationship with" Monica Conyers, whose resignation she called "an appropriate decision".[4] When Dave Bing proposed a water rate hike, she was among those who voted in favor.[5]
Sheila Cockrel | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Detroit City Council | |
| Assumed office 1993[1] | |
| Personal details | |
| Spouse(s) | Kenneth Cockrel, Sr. (died 1988) |
| Children | Kenneth Cockrel, Jr. (stepson) Katherine Victoria Cockrel (daughter) |
| Residence | Corktown, Detroit |
2009 activities edit
In 2009, Cockrel joined the adjunct faculty of Wayne State University's Irvin D. Reid Honors College. She taught two seminars and joined the Board of Visitors.[6] She became the founder, CEO and president of Crossroads Consulting Group, a firm that assists companies in helping local governments.[3][7]
Testimony edit
In 2008, Cockrel testified to a grand jury regarding John Clark, former chief-of-staff to Kenneth Cockrel, Jr., allegedly taking bribes from Synagro Technologies, which won a $47-million sludge disposal contract with the city.[8] She was one of five members of the council who voted in favor of this deal despite protests from residents.[8]
Education edit
Cockrel has a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and a Master of Arts in urban planning from Wayne State University.[7]
Personal life edit
Cockrel is a Detroit native whose parents, Louis and Justine Murphy, founded the Catholic Worker Movement there. They oversaw the operations of the St. Martha House of Hospitality, a home for men and a soup kitchen for the needy. She married Ken, Sr. in 1978 and they had a daughter, Katherine, in 1985. In 1988, Ken died.[6]
Archival collection edit
Some of Cockrel and her husband's work is preserved in the Ken and Sheila Cockrel Papers, at the Walter P. Reuther Library in Detroit.
References edit
- ^ Gorchow, Zachary (July 1, 2008). "Sheila Cockrel: 'I don't want a cloud hanging over my name'". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
- ^ Johannes F Spreen, Diane Holloway. Who Killed Detroit? New York: iUniverse (2005) page 70. ISBN 0-595-35798-9, ISBN 978-0-595-35798-7
- ^ a b Cockrel, Sheila. "Sheila Cockrel: Why I'm voting to take the Detroit pension cut". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ Josar, David; Nichols, Darren A. (June 29, 2009). "Conyers to resign from Detroit City Council on July 6". Detroit News.
- ^ Patton, Naomi R. (June 24, 2009). "Bing to try again for water rate hike". Detroit Free Press.
- ^ a b "ABOUT: Shelia Cockrel". Crossroads Consulting. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ a b "Sheila Cockrel". Detroit Chamber. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ a b Ashenfelter, David; Angel, Cecil (September 5, 2008). "Sheila Cockrel called to testify before grand jury". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2009-07-11.